Caroline Riseboro joins Plan International Canada as President and CEO

Global development agency’s newest champion for gender equality steps into role on eve of International Women’s Day

CANADA, March 7, 2016 – As the world marks International Women’s Day this week, Plan International Canada welcomes Caroline Riseboro as its President and CEO.

“I can’t imagine a better time to start at Plan International Canada as I look forward to helping drive the organization’s mission to create a world where girls and women have the same rights and opportunities as boys and men, and everyone can reach their greatest potential,” said Ms. Riseboro. “I am proud to be joining the Plan International Canada team working to achieve gender equality, eradicate poverty and make a lasting difference in communities around the globe.”

Ms. Riseboro’s background includes engaging Canadians and tackling some of society’s most pressing issues at leading Canadian charities and non-profit organizations including World Vision and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation. She is known for her groundbreaking campaigns aimed at creating a world in which every person can thrive.

“My vision is to work together with all Canadians in shaping a future in which everyone has equal opportunity, both here and in developing countries where Plan International works every day,” said Ms. Riseboro. “I am particularly passionate about gender equality. As a country and as a global society, we are only as strong as our most vulnerable so if we truly want to change the world, we need to start with women and girls. I firmly believe that we all have a role to play and every person’s voice matters.”

Empowering girls and women is central to Plan International’s work in developing countries and it is also critical to ending global poverty. Because I am a Girl is Plan International’s global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls’ rights, and lift girls – and everyone around them – out of poverty.

“While I couldn’t be more thrilled to take on this position, my excitement is tempered by the realization that not all girls in the world have the same opportunity – at least, not yet,” said Ms. Riseboro. “There is still work to be done. Plan International has a strong track record of empowering children, particularly girls, to claim their rights through initiatives such as Because I Am A Girl and I am proud to be part of that team. Plan International Canada’s International Women’s Day campaign this week will also be an important opportunity to gain momentum in the fight for gender equality.”

Plan International Canada’s 2016 International Women’s Day campaign, built around the theme of Lift Her Up, aims to create a conversation about the positive impact that words can have on girls’ power and potential as they become confident women who will assert their rights and direct their lives even while confronting challenges and barriers.

“I extend a wealth of thanks to Marie Staunton for her remarkable achievements in leading Plan International Canada as Interim President and CEO for the past seven months and for her pivotal efforts in ensuring my transition into the role has been seamless,” said Ms. Riseboro.

About Plan and the Because I am a Girl initiative

Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world’s oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan’s global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and lift millions of girls – and everyone around them – out of poverty. Visit plancanada.ca and becauseiamagirl.cafor more information.

About Plan International

Founded in 1937, we are one of the world’s oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, we have only one agenda: to improve the lives of children.